Floodlit fixture to start FA Vase run

TEAM Bury kick off their bid for a place in the first round proper of the FA Vase under the floodlights at Ram Meadow tonight (7.45pm).

Just one place separates Bury Town’s feeder side from Thurlow Nunn League First Division rivals Brightlingsea Regent, who stand in the Blues’ way of a place in the first round proper.

Thetford Town and Walsham-le-Willows are in second qualifying round action tomorrow (3pm), hoping to get past Godmanchester Rovers and Stansted respectively.

Team Bury manager Ross Wilding, who will be without Liam Wales, said: “Last year we had a good run in the Vase and the financial rewards of that are very beneficial to the club.

“The lads also enjoy playing in a competition that ends at Wembley and we’ll be hoping to put a few wins together in it this season.”

Thetford Town, who reached the second round last season before being knocked out by Spartan South Midlands League champions Royston Town, will be hoping to end their Godmanchester hoodoo at Mundford Road tomorrow.

Rovers pipped the Brecklanders to the Thurlow Nunn First Division title last year by beating them twice and knocked them out of this year’s FA Cup.

Thetford boss Mark Scott, who was sent to the stands during his side’s 2-1 defeat to Haverhill Rovers on Saturday, said: “We have to find a way to end this poor run we’ve had against Godmanchester, but each game has been close”

New signing James Pipe – who top-scored for Diss Town last season – netted on his debut for Thetford, but is suspended for tomorrow’s FA Vase tie having been sent of for his former club, but fellow ex-Diss man Luke Catchpole is available.

However, Tom Cusack and Martin Carter are both doubtful.

Meanwhile, Walsham-le-Willows – who drew 0-0 with Kirkley & Pakefield on Saturday – will hope to overcome Stowmarket Town’s conquerors from the first qualifying round, Essex Senior League outfit Stansted, at Summer Road in their second qualifying round encounter.

Having been unceremoniously dumped out of the FA Vase by local rivals Newmarket Town in the first qualfying round, Mildenhall Town find themselves in the position of being able to go top of the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division.

Hall – who beat FC Clacton 4-1 on Saturday – would leap to the summit by seeing off visitors CRC by three goals or more at Recreation Way tomorrow (3pm).

Stowmarket Town will look to bounce back from their embarrassing loss in the First Division Knockout Cup to bottom side Cornard United when they travel to Great Yarmouth Town in the Thurlow Nunn First Division tomorrow (3pm) and Newmarket Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).